Bessie Smith News

Royal Albert Hall has announced its May 2014 listings. Details below!

PNC Bank is the new title sponsor of Blumenthal Performing Arts' flagship series next season. The 2014-2015 blockbuster Broadway season is titled PNC Broadway Lights and is made possible with support from PNC Bank.

Producer Robb Nanus (Andrew Lippa's I Am Harvey Milk) is pleased to announce the full cast for the world-premiere production of DEBUTANTE., written by Ryann Weir and directed/created by Annie Tippe. After a sold out presentation at Ars Nova's ANT Fest last June, DEBUTANTE. returns to New York City this spring at the Bernie Wohl Center (647 Columbus Avenue) starting April 23.

A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN will open at New York City's Gramercy Theatre (127 E 23rd St. / 23rd & Lexington Ave) on Thursday, April 10th, giving fans a chance to see Broadway's acclaimed theatrical rock experience in one of New York's most intimate concert venues. An exclusive presale for Citi Cardholders will begin today, March 17th at 10AM followed by Live Nation and Ticketmaster presales beginning at 10AM on Tuesday, March 18th. Tickets will be available to the general public at 10AM on Wednesday, March 19 via Ticketmaster.com and at the Gramercy Theatre box office.

Explore the powerful role women have played in the world of rock and roll music inside the Women Who Rock: Vision, Passion, Power exhibition at Henry Ford Museum starting May 17 through August 24, 2014. Created by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, this groundbreaking and provocative exhibition features the firsts, the bests, and the celebrated and sometimes the lesser-knowns whose innovation advanced the progress of rock and roll.

The Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts (RHCPA) proudly welcomes Molly Ringwald on Thursday April 10th at 8:00 pm. Best known for her roles in the iconic movies Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club and Pretty in Pink, Molly has now become one of jazz's great voices. Making her only Canadian stop, join Molly as she takes the main stage with a full repertoire of jazz standards.

Since the show opened on January 9, it's been the hottest ticket in town with 19 of 20 performances sold out. Now, after a brief rest and with the support of Interfaith's I M Foundation, the company is set to resume performances this Friday, February 28 for another two weeks.

It seems that jukebox musicals made to appeal to my parents' generation are a dime a dozen these days. However, there is something truly special about Randy Johnson's A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN. His intimate theatrical portrait of the Queen of Rock from Port Arthur, Texas spent three sold-out years on the road before opening to rave reviews and enthusiastic crowds at Broadway's Lyceum Theatre on October 10, 2013. Even though the show just closed on February 9, its magic and energy has been preserved by Broadway Records on A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN (Original Broadway Cast Recording).

The Broadway production of A Night With Janis Joplin plays its final performance tonight, Sunday, February 9 at 7PM at the Lyceum Theatre. The show has played 22 preview performances and 141 regular performances since beginning previews on Friday, September 20 and opening on Thursday, October 10. A Night With Janis Joplin will move to a new home in New York City this March.

Stalwart stage actress and IT COULD BE WORSE standout Alison Fraser discusses details on her upcoming new studio album centered on the theme of one of America's most respected and oft-revived playwrights, Tennessee Williams, as part of a new interview.

'Dreamgirls' star Jennifer Holliday stopped by ABC's THE VIEW and performed a song from her new solo album, 'The Song is You.' Check out the appearance below!

The Broadway production of A Night With Janis Joplin will play its final performance on Sunday, February 9 at 7PM at the Lyceum Theatre (149 West 45th Street). On that date, the show will have played 22 preview performances and 141 regular performances. A Night With Janis Joplin will move to a new home in New York City this March.

According to a post on Jennifer Holliday's Facebook page, the Broadway star and singer will appear at the Barnes & Noble Upper East Side (86th and Lexington in NYC) to sign copies and celebrate the release of her new album 'The Song Is You' today, January 24, 2014.

A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN will play its final performance at the Lyceum Theatre (149 West 45th Street) this February (exact date will be announced shortly), prior to moving to a new home in New York City this March.

Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, the performance venue located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond:

A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN, the new Broadway musical, is celebrating Joplin's birthday with special activities at the theatre and online on Sunday, January 19.At the theatre for both the matinee and evening performances, there will be a special photo booth, supplied by Top Hat Photo Booths, where audience members can write special messages in honor of Joplin's birthday and take photos with the messages. Following the performance the cast will give a special birthday salute to Joplin. For the evening performance only, there will be custom Joplin birthday cupcakes for audience members as they leave the theatre supplied by Sugarush in Red Bank.

Broadway Records just announced the release of the Original Broadway Cast Recording of the critically acclaimed, A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN on the occasion of the iconic musician's birthday celebration. The album will be available digitally on January 17, and the CD is currently available at the Lyceum Theatre. The album is also available for pre-orders at Amazon.com and the official show website.

The blues may be cool, but Miche Braden and the music are hot in this lively production of playwright Angelo Parra's THE DEVIL'S MUSIC: THE LIVE AND BLUES OF BESSIE SMITH at Merrimack Repertory Theatre in Lowell. Even if you don't know much about Smith, you'll walk out of the show feeling as though you've just spent the evening in her company. A trio of outstanding musicians joins the actress on the richly-rendered set by James J. Fenton. Don't miss this!

Merrimack Repertory Theatre (MRT) is introducing the first in a series of 'Ladies Nights' at the theatre. The event, which takes place on Thursday, January 23 includes seats for the 7:30 pm performance of The Devil's Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith by Angelo Parra and directed by Joe Brancato. Tickets also include a pre-show dessert reception beginning at 6:00 pm and a post-show discussion. The desserts will be provided by Dessert Yurt, a new Lowell-based specialty chocolate and dessert creator. Tickets for the event range from $48-23 and are all inclusive. They can be purchased online at www.mrt.org or by calling 978-654-4678.

According to a post on Jennifer Holliday's Facebook page, the Broadway star and singer will appear at the Barnes & Noble Upper East Side (86th and Lexington) to sign copies and celebrate the release of her new album 'The Song Is You' on Friday, January 24, 2014.